Little Polynesia
63mins
compiled 2012
CHILDREN OF THE MIGRATION 2010 (excerpts) 7 mins
The children of the families who migrated to New Zealand from the Pacific in the 50s-80s talk about growing up as Pacific Islanders in New Zealand in Lala Rolls' lively and moving documentary. Rolls, a Fiji-born European who arrived in New Zealand in 1981, describes her film as 'an ode to our parents'. It tells the stories of the Pacific Island immigrants who changed the cultural landscape of Aotearoa. Though not every memory recalled is a happy one, the film is essentially a celebration.
LITTLE POLYNESIA 1973 (excerpts) 5 mins
Polynesian children in New Zealand. Immigrant children painting, singing and dancing to traditional and western music. Change in eating habits. Hair cutting ceremony. Children run across Karangahape Rd.
Dawn Raids 2005 (excerpts) 3.5 mins 2005
This documentary chronicles a shameful passage in NZ race relations: the controversial mid-70s raids on the homes of alleged Pacific Island overstayers. Director Damon Fepulea’i examines its origins in Pacific Island immigration during full employment in the 1960s when officialdom turned a blind eye to visa restrictions. As times got tougher, that policy changed and also led to random street stopping by police — before resistance by activists and media questioning helped to end a policy which has had a long term effect on the Pacific Island community.
The Overstayers: A Pacific Island story 19mins F45771
Provides a brief history of New Zealand immigration policy, and includes archival footage of immigrants arriving on the shores of New Zealand. Pacific Islanders affected by stricter immigration laws, and various officials involved with immigration tell their stories. Interviews with: Ilati Taungkava; Dr. David Williams, University of Auckland; David Lange, former Prime Minister; Agnes Tuisamoa, Social Worker; Reverend Taniela Moala; Pat Booth, ex-Deputy Editor Auckland Star; Constable Mike Tafua; Clive Edwards, Solicitor; Mary Anau; Robert Muldoon, former Prime Minister; Reverend Wayne Toleafoa; A. McCready, Minister of Police 1976; Iuni Sapolo, Solicitor. Produced by Students of Bachelor or Communications - Auckland Institute of Technology
Race Against Time 1983 (excerpts) 6.5mins mins
A documentary on the effects of racism in New Zealand. Member of the Maori and Pacific Island Community are interviewed and speak on this topic: Rev Dr. Maru Check, Canon Hone Kaa, Hamuli Kalif: Policeman, Venise Tuai: University Student, Susan Uta'i: Community Worker, Fuimaono N. Tuisau: Legal Researcher, Poumau Papali'i: Samoan Activist.
OUR PEOPLE OUR CENTURY: BEING A KIWI 2000 11mins
Documentary exploring the history of New Zealand in the 20th Century.
"Being a Kiwi: For over 1000 years people have migrated to New Zealand, even the tangata whenua, the Maori, arrived here from other lands. In the 19th and 20th centuries the English, Scots and Irish flooded in, and other nationalities added to the mix." From the New Zealand Listener
From Street to Sky 2007 8mins
Production company: Blue Bach Productions
"The one-hour film is a personal account of four decades of protest and how a humble man
of Nuiean descent has helped shape the relationship between M ori and peoples of the Pacific - not only through his music but also through his physical actions on the 'street'. As a 20-year-old, Tigilau Ness joined the Polynesian Panthers and formed a unique relationship with Nga Tama Toa, allowing him to take a stand on both Pacific Island and M ori civil liberty issues with marches and protests. He was even prepared to sit in front of the Waitangi flag pole with a "car full of dynamite" contemplating its destruction!
FROM STREET TO SKY explores the relationship of his music with that of protest - very few people know that he was one of four people to go to prison because of his stand against apartheid and the 1982 Springbok Tour. It also reveals a new face to this humble character as we discover that he is the father of musician Che Fu. Their relationship has seen Tigilau through imprisonment, an attempted suicide, a life changing meeting with Bob Marley and a musical career that has always been in the shadow of his better-known son." www.maoritelevision.com; 19/10/2007
Polynesian Panthers documentary 7mins 2010.